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FAIR USE

September 28, 2002 Saturday Pg. 2A
Man accidentally shoots intruder
BY Mandy Goodnight, Staff, [email protected]

MARKSVILLE – An intruder got more than he bargained for Friday when he
barged into a 75-year-old Avoyelles Parish man’s house.

The victim, whose name was not released, tried to scare the intruder
with a gun but accidentally grazed him when he fired a shot.

Melvin Brooks, 31, of 644 Brouillete St., Marksville, refused medical
treatment at the scene but was later taken to Avoyelles Medical Center
as a precaution.

Brooks told Marksville police he ran from three men in an alleged drug
deal gone bad, Assistant Chief John Augustine said.

Residents at the North Hillside Apartments on Legion Drive notified
police at 1:41 a.m. of a man knocking on doors. When homeowners refused
to open their doors, Brooks tried turning the knob to gain entry.

When he knocked on the elderly victim’s door, the man opened his front
door but kept the screen door closed.

Brooks used a “metal object” to pry open the door as he forced his way
inside, Augustine said. Brooks, who refused to leave because he thought
someone was after him, tussled with the victim.

Brooks’ actions frightened the man, who used a handgun to fire a warning
shot, Augustine said.

The victim fired the gun downward, but the bullet ricocheted off a
table, grazed Brooks’ shoulder and was found lodged in a picture frame,
police said.

Brooks declined treatment from ambulance personnel for the wound to his
shoulder. He was treated for cuts on his hands.

The victim suffered minor scratches from his struggle with Brooks. Other
than being upset, the victim was OK, police said.

Marksville police will not tolerate harassment of elderly residents,
Augustine said.

The investigation into Brooks’ claims continues.
Brooks was booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail on charges of
aggravated criminal damage to property, aggravated assault, three counts
of criminal trespassing, simple battery of the infirmed and unauthorized
entry of an inhabited dwelling. He remained jailed Friday. Bail was set
at $100,000.

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